Self-measuring faucet.



No. 646,995. Patented Apr. I0, |900.

E. C. JOHNSON. SELF MEASUBING FAUCET.

(Application med 1mm 2,1899.)

(No Model.)

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Umrann STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDXVIN OOLFAX JOHNSON, OF Sl-IUTESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS;

SELF-MEASURING AUCET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Nou 646,995, dated April 10, 190115. Application tiled June 2, 1899. Serial No. 719,106. (N0 model.)

T0 all whom t may cowern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN COLFAX JoHN SON, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Shutesbury, county of Franklin, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Measuring Faucets and Regulators Therefor; and l do hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to self-measuring faucets, and is particularly adapted for use in connection with gasolene and other explosive or inflammable fluids; and one object is to provide a faucet of this characterl in which the liquid is automatically measured and the quantity indicated as it ows therethrough and which is simple in construction, efficient, and reliable in operation and which may be manufactured at a moderate cost.

A further object is to provide a faucet of this character in which the flow of the liquid is automatically controlled.

To these ends the invention consists in a self-measuring faucet and an automatic pressure-regulator therefor constructed substantially as hereinafter illustrated and described, and defined in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar letters of reference refer to similar parts in` both views, Figure l is a view in perspective of the improved faucet, and Fig. 2 is a vertical central longitudinal section thereof.

In the drawings, A represents a faucet of any ordinary or preferred form adapted to be connected with a barrel, tank, or other receptacle containing gasolene or other dangerous iuid. To the lower end of the faucet is attached a casing A', containing the pressure-regulating mechanism.l To the casing A is secured the casing A2, containing the measuring apparatus. The lower portion of this casing is provided with the usual spout or outlet A3, and tfo the upper portion of the casing is removably secured a box or receptacle A, containing the recording mechanism.

The casing A2 is provided with a removable bottom having a central hub a, which provides a bearing for the shaft ct of the turbine wheel a2, which shaft is sleeved at its upper `or preferred construction having suitable symbols thereon, and suitable pointers or hands b b2 are mounted upon the main spindle b3 of the clock mechanism for indicating in connection with the said symbols the quantity of fluid which has flowed through the measurin g-ohamber of the casing A2. A suit- Y able balance-bar b4 is fixed upon the shaft a below the striker a4.

The mainspindle b3 of the clock mechanism B is provided with a turn-button B or other suitable device, whereby the dial-pointers b b2 may be returned to the point of beginning after a quantity of the fluid has been measured. In the side of the casing A2 is provided a fluid-inlet d', communicating with the interior of the casing A. This inlet d is located on the opposite side of the casing A from the outlet A3 and somewhat above said outlet and is of smaller diameter than the outlet, so as to prevent the flooding of the measuring-chamber of the casing A2. The turbine wheel a2 is arranged in the path of the Iiuid flowing through the measuring-chamber and is forced to rotate ataspeed corresponding to the flow of the fluid.

The outer end of the casing A is provided with a removable cap c, having a central perforation e', in which is rotatably sleeved the adj usting-nut e2, through the central bore of which is received the rod E, the inner end of which rod is supported in suitable bearings formed in the lower end of the hanger e3, fixed to the casing A. A .suitable spring e4 is sleeved upon the rod E and bears at one end against the cap e and at the other against a lug lixed upon lsaid rod. The interior of the nut e2 is threaded to engage the threaded end of the rod E, whereby the tension of the spring e4 may be adjusted and the nut e2 firmly held against its seat in the cap c.

At a suitable point on the rod E is loosely sleeved the disk E', which closely fits the interior of the casing A and operates as a pis- IOO ton, being moved along the rod E by the pressure of the Huid upon one face against the pressure of the returning-spring e5, which is sleeved upon the rod E and bears at one end against the face of the piston E and at the other end against the hanger e3. A suitable by-pass A5 is arranged on the casing A and serves to connect the interior of said casing on both sides of the piston E', thus providing a passage for the fluid around said piston when in its normal position.

The faucet A communicates with the inte- Arior of the casing A back of the said piston, so that the said piston is normally between the inlet and outlet openings of said casing.

When the faucet-cock is turned, the fluid passes through the inlet-opening into the casing A' and flows through the by-pass A5 around the piston E and through the inletopening d of the casing A2, where it falls upon the blades of the turbine Wheel a2, causing it to rotate and, by means of the connections With the clock mechanism, measure the quantity of fluid that flows th rough said chamber 'to the spout A3.

The piston E' is adjusted so as to `remain in its normal position as long as the pressure-of the iiuid is not too strong to permit the quantity to be accurately measured. When the pressure of the fluid becomes excessive, the piston moves against the pressure of the spring e5 and partially closes the opening-ot' the by-pass A5, thus reducing thequantity of fluid'liowin g to the chamber of the casing A2.

The operation of the measuring mechanism is thought to be obvious and is not set forth in detail. The operation of the pressure-regulatin g mechanism will be clearly understood v by the statement that the movement of the piston E is controlled solely by the pressure of the iniiowing liquid and the spring e5. When the liquid-pressure becomes greater than` will produce the best vpossible Working of the registering mechanism, the piston E will be moved toward the left in Fig. 2 against the tension of the spring e5, which serves to partiallyclose the by-pass A5, causing a restricted flow of liquid from-said by-pass. In this position the pressure on the left side of the piston is solely that exerted by the spring e5, the liquid-pressure being relieved by the opening d, through which the liquid passesI from the by-pass, the opening` from the bypass and the opening d being of substantially the same size. It will therefore be understood that the movement of the piston E' is controlled solely by the tension of the spring e5, the piston remaining inthe position shown in Fig. 2 as long as the liquid-pressure on the opposite side of said disk is equal to or less than the pressure exerted by the tension of the spring e5; but as soon as the liquid-pressure exceeds the tension of the spring said piston will be moved toward the left and cuts off the supply of liquid from the by-pass opening to the opening d, preventing the passage of too great a quantity of liquid to the measuring mechanism.

An annular ring E2 is formed in the cham.- ber A and serves as an abutment or stop for the piston E', thus limiting its forward movement.

While I have herein shown a preferred form of carrying my invention into effect, yet I do not desire tolimit myself to such preferred details of construction, but claim the right to use any and al1 modifications thereof which will serve to carry into effect theobjects to be attained by this invention in so far as such modifications and changes may fall Within the spirit and scope of my said invention.

I clai 111-- An automatic measuring and lregulating faucet, comprising a casing having an inletopening; a Huid-pressure regulating device arranged in said casing; a casing communieating with the regulating-chamber through the said outlet-opening and having an outletopening; a turbine Wheel revolubly mounted in said casing and located between said outlet-opening and the outlet of said casing in the path of the Hush; and a registering -device mounted on said casing and operated by the rotation of said turbine wheel, substan- -tially as described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto'set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN COLFAX JOHNSON. Witnesses:

SUsAN M. FIELD, I-IARRIET M. GLovER. 

